Cladding refers to the application of one material over another to provide a skin or layer intended to control the infiltration of weather elements, or for aesthetic purposes. Cladding does not necessarily have to provide a water-proof condition but is instead a control element. This control element may only serve to safely direct water or wind in order to control run-off and prevent infiltration into the building structure. Cladding applied to windows is often referred to as window capping and is a very specialized field.
Cardiff City F.C. made extensive use of cladding for their new football stadium (opened in the 2009/2010 football season). On the 21st December 2008 they won an award for the pattern of the cladding.
More information
- List of claddings